BPI-Certified Compostable Liner Bags Now Accepted in Green Bins

Published on: 2014/04/09 - in News

The City of Kingston has announced that compostable liner bags, certified by the Biodegradable Products Institute and displaying the BPI symbol, can now be used in Green Bins.

Additionally, cellulose-lined paper bag liners and homemade newspaper or paper liners will continue to be accepted for pick up.

“You don’t have to use a liner bag in your Green Bin, but many people find the paper liners handy and, now, we are happy to welcome BPI-certified compostable liner bags as another easy option for transferring organic waste from your kitchen container to your Green Bin,” said Public Education Coordinator, Derek Ochej, in a news release.

He asked that residents be especially attentive to ensuring the compost liner bag has the BPI symbol before purchase.

Only those certified bags will work with the City’s composting processes, unlike the plastic-looking compostable or biodegradable bags which don’t break down efficently and therefore will not be accepted.

The City continues to promote Green Bin use in Kingston to contribute to the diversion of organic waste from landfills and as an efficient way to create useful compost.

Items appropriate for green bins include soiled paper products, including used paper towels, tissue, popcorn bags, paper plates and greasy pizza boxes, and small pieces of yard waste that still alloow the bin’s lid to close.

Food scraps are also accepted. These include fruit and vegetable peels, meat and bones, tea bags, coffee grounds, oatmeal, pasta, jams, mayonnaise, mashed potatoes, fats, egg shells, nut shells, shrimp shells.

Items that cannot go into a Green Bin are listed as: pet waste and kitty litter; diapers and feminine hygiene products; rocks, gravel and soil; and disposable duster & sweeper cloths.

The City also sells backyard composters for $41.95 at the Kingston Area Recycling Centre, 196 Lappan’s Lane (map). The centre is open from Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For a complete list of allowable Green Bin itsems, visit CityofKingston.ca/greenbin and if need a Green Bin, call 613-546-0000 to find out how to get a replacement.

————————————————————————————-

Photo (flipped): Wikimedia Commons